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NZ skydivers jump to safety moments before plane crashes into lake
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Thirteen people on board a skydiving plane that encountered engine trouble have parachuted to safety on New Zealand's North Island moments before the aircraft plunged into a lake, New Zealand local media reported.
Skydive Taupo chief executive Roy Clements said the plane, which was heading for a tandem skydive over Lake Taupo, experienced an engine problem shortly after take-off about 12:00pm local time (10:00am AEDT), according to the report.
"All parachutists including the pilot exited the plane and landed safely," Mr Clements said.
Ambulance staff checked over the 13 people.
A woman who witnessed the incident told TVNZ's One News that people on nearby boats scrambled within minutes to pick up the skydivers.
"People just rushed out to them, even if they had to launch their boats from their holiday homes," she said.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission said it had opened an inquiry into the accident.
It said three investigators had travelled to Taupo to commence inquiries focussing firstly on securing evidence including the wreckage, aircraft and flight information, and gathering initial accounts from those involved as well as from witnesses.
A fourth investigator will work from Wellington.
Police divers will assist the commission's investigators with an underwater inspection and photography of the wreckage before it is lifted from Lake Taupo by commercial salvage experts.
The inquiry is expected to take 18 months, but the Commission said it has the ability to issue interim reports or safety recommendations before the completion of the inquiry if necessary.
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